Padding options for trigger frame in wireless communications

ABSTRACT

A wireless communication device (alternatively, device, WDEV, etc.) includes at least one processing circuitry configured to support communications with other WDEV(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. In some examples, the device includes a communication interface and a processing circuitry, among other possible circuitries, components, elements, etc. to support communications with other WDEV(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. A WDEV determines capabilities of other WDEVs and generates a first orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) frame that includes resource unit (RU) allocation specified for the other WDEVs and media access controller (MAC) padding (e.g., selected based on capability of at least one of the other WDEVs. The WDEV then transmits the first OFDMA frame to the other WDEVs to be processed by them and then receives a second OFDMA frame from the other WDEVs based on the RU allocation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS/PATENT APPLICATIONS ProvisionalPriority Claims

The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/265,975,entitled “Padding options for trigger frame in wireless communications,”filed Dec. 10, 2015; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/272,773,entitled “Padding options for trigger frame in wireless communications,”filed Dec. 30, 2015; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/413,242,entitled “Padding options for trigger frame in wireless communications,”filed Oct. 26, 2016, all of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety and made part of the present U.S. UtilityPatent Application for all purposes.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems; and,more particularly, to padding options within single user, multiple user,multiple access, and/or multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) wirelesscommunications.

Description of Related Art

Communication systems support wireless and wire lined communicationsbetween wireless and/or wire lined communication devices. The systemscan range from national and/or international cellular telephone systems,to the Internet, to point-to-point in-home wireless networks and canoperate in accordance with one or more communication standards. Forexample, wireless communication systems may operate in accordance withone or more standards including, but not limited to, IEEE 802.11x (wherex may be various extensions such as a, b, n, g, etc.), Bluetooth,advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, global system formobile communications (GSM), etc., and/or variations thereof.

In some instances, wireless communication is made between a transmitter(TX) and receiver (RX) using single-input-single-output (SISO)communication. Another type of wireless communication issingle-input-multiple-output (SIMO) in which a single TX processes datainto radio frequency (RF) signals that are transmitted to a RX thatincludes two or more antennas and two or more RX paths.

Yet an alternative type of wireless communication ismultiple-input-single-output (MISO) in which a TX includes two or moretransmission paths that each respectively converts a correspondingportion of baseband signals into RF signals, which are transmitted viacorresponding antennas to a RX. Another type of wireless communicationis multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) in which a TX and RX eachrespectively includes multiple paths such that a TX parallel processesdata using a spatial and time encoding function to produce two or morestreams of data and a RX receives the multiple RF signals via multipleRX paths that recapture the streams of data utilizing a spatial and timedecoding function.

The prior art employs various means to perform signaling andcommunication between wireless communication devices that are highlyconsumptive of the communication medium and also can include significantoverhead and poor efficiency in terms of information conveyed. Inaddition, as the number of devices that concurrently operate withinwireless communication systems continues to increase, there continues toexist needs in the art for improved and more efficient means forcommunicating information between wireless communication devices and toallow for better use of the communication medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of dense deployment ofwireless communication devices.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of communication betweenwireless communication devices.

FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating another example of communicationbetween wireless communication devices.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexing (OFDM) and/or orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple access (OFDMA).

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating another example of OFDM and/or OFDMA.

FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating another example of OFDM and/or OFDMA.

FIG. 3D is a diagram illustrating another example of OFDM and/or OFDMA.

FIG. 3E is a diagram illustrating an example of single-carrier (SC)signaling.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of an OFDM/A packet.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet ofa second type.

FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an example of at least one portion ofan OFDM/A packet of another type.

FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet ofa third type.

FIG. 4E is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet ofa fourth type.

FIG. 4F is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet.

FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet.

FIG. 5D is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet.

FIG. 5E is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet.

FIG. 5F is a diagram illustrating an example of selection amongdifferent OFDM/A frame structures for use in communications betweenwireless communication devices and specifically showing OFDM/A framestructures corresponding to one or more resource units (RUs).

FIG. 5G is a diagram illustrating an example of various types ofdifferent resource units (RUs).

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating another example of various types ofdifferent RUs.

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating another example of various types ofdifferent RUs.

FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating an example of various types ofcommunication protocol specified physical layer (PHY) fast Fouriertransform (FFT) sizes.

FIG. 6D is a diagram illustrating an example of different channelbandwidths and relationship there between.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame format.

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating another example of a frame format.

FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating another example of a frame format.

FIG. 7D is a diagram illustrating another example of a frame format.

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating another example of a frame format.

FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating another example of a frame format.

FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating another example of a frame format.

FIG. 8D is a diagram illustrating another example of a frame format.

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating another example of a frame format.

FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating another example of a frame format.

FIG. 9C is a diagram illustrating another example of a frame format.

FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method forexecution by one or more wireless communication devices.

FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a method forexecution by one or more wireless communication devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system 100. The wireless communication system 100 includesbase stations and/or access points 112-116, wireless communicationdevices 118-132 (e.g., wireless stations (STAs)), and a network hardwarecomponent 134. The wireless communication devices 118-132 may be laptopcomputers, or tablets, 118 and 126, personal digital assistants 120 and130, personal computers 124 and 132 and/or cellular telephones 122 and128. Other examples of such wireless communication devices 118-132 couldalso or alternatively include other types of devices that includewireless communication capability. The details of an embodiment of suchwireless communication devices are described in greater detail withreference to FIG. 2B among other diagrams.

Some examples of possible devices that may be implemented to operate inaccordance with any of the various examples, embodiments, options,and/or their equivalents, etc. described herein may include, but are notlimited by, appliances within homes, businesses, etc. such asrefrigerators, microwaves, heaters, heating systems, air conditioners,air conditioning systems, lighting control systems, and/or any othertypes of appliances, etc.; meters such as for natural gas service,electrical service, water service, Internet service, cable and/orsatellite television service, and/or any other types of meteringpurposes, etc.; devices wearable on a user or person including watches,monitors such as those that monitor activity level, bodily functionssuch as heartbeat, breathing, bodily activity, bodily motion or lackthereof, etc.; medical devices including intravenous (IV) medicinedelivery monitoring and/or controlling devices, blood monitoring devices(e.g., glucose monitoring devices) and/or any other types of medicaldevices, etc.; premises monitoring devices such as movementdetection/monitoring devices, door closed/ajar detection/monitoringdevices, security/alarm system monitoring devices, and/or any other typeof premises monitoring devices; multimedia devices includingtelevisions, computers, audio playback devices, video playback devices,and/or any other type of multimedia devices, etc.; and/or generally anyother type(s) of device(s) that include(s) wireless communicationcapability, functionality, circuitry, etc. In general, any device thatis implemented to support wireless communications may be implemented tooperate in accordance with any of the various examples, embodiments,options, and/or their equivalents, etc. described herein.

The base stations (BSs) or access points (APs) 112-116 are operablycoupled to the network hardware 134 via local area network connections136, 138, and 140. The network hardware 134, which may be a router,switch, bridge, modem, system controller, etc., provides a wide areanetwork connection 142 for the communication system 100. Each of thebase stations or access points 112-116 has an associated antenna orantenna array to communicate with the wireless communication devices inits area. Typically, the wireless communication devices register with aparticular base station or access point 112-116 to receive services fromthe communication system 100. For direct connections (i.e.,point-to-point communications), wireless communication devicescommunicate directly via an allocated channel.

Any of the various wireless communication devices (WDEVs) 118-132 andBSs or APs 112-116 may include a processing circuitry and/or acommunication interface to support communications with any other of thewireless communication devices 118-132 and BSs or APs 112-116. In anexample of operation, a processing circuitry and/or a communicationinterface implemented within one of the devices (e.g., any one of theWDEVs 118-132 and BSs or APs 112-116) is/are configured to process atleast one signal received from and/or to generate at least one signal tobe transmitted to another one of the devices (e.g., any other one of theWDEVs 118-132 and BSs or APs 112-116).

Note that general reference to a communication device, such as awireless communication device (e.g., WDEVs) 118-132 and BSs or APs112-116 in FIG. 1, or any other communication devices and/or wirelesscommunication devices may alternatively be made generally herein usingthe term ‘device’ (e.g., with respect to FIG. 2A below, “device 210”when referring to “wireless communication device 210” or “WDEV 210,” or“devices 210-234” when referring to “wireless communication devices210-234”; or with respect to FIG. 2B below, use of “device 310” mayalternatively be used when referring to “wireless communication device310”, or “devices 390 and 391 (or 390-391)” when referring to wirelesscommunication devices 390 and 391 or WDEVs 390 and 391). Generally, suchgeneral references or designations of devices may be usedinterchangeably.

The processing circuitry and/or the communication interface of any oneof the various devices, WDEVs 118-132 and BSs or APs 112-116, may beconfigured to support communications with any other of the variousdevices, WDEVs 118-132 and BSs or APs 112-116. Such communications maybe uni-directional or bi-directional between devices. Also, suchcommunications may be uni-directional between devices at one time andbi-directional between those devices at another time.

In an example, a device (e.g., any one of the WDEVs 118-132 and BSs orAPs 112-116) includes a communication interface and/or a processingcircuitry (and possibly other possible circuitries, components,elements, etc.) to support communications with other device(s) and togenerate and process signals for such communications. The communicationinterface and/or the processing circuitry operate to perform variousoperations and functions to effectuate such communications (e.g., thecommunication interface and the processing circuitry may be configuredto perform certain operation(s) in conjunction with one another,cooperatively, dependently with one another, etc. and other operation(s)separately, independently from one another, etc.). In some examples,such a processing circuitry includes all capability, functionality,and/or circuitry, etc. to perform such operations as described herein.In some other examples, such a communication interface includes allcapability, functionality, and/or circuitry, etc. to perform suchoperations as described herein. In even other examples, such aprocessing circuitry and a communication interface include allcapability, functionality, and/or circuitry, etc. to perform suchoperations as described herein, at least in part, cooperatively with oneanother.

In an example of implementation and operation, a wireless communicationdevice (e.g., any one of the WDEVs 118-132 and BSs or APs 112-116)includes a processing circuitry and a communication interface to supportcommunications with one or more of the other wireless communicationdevices (e.g., any other of the WDEVs 118-132 and BSs or APs 112-116).

In an example, BS/AP 116 supports communications with WDEVs 130, 132.BS/AP 116 determine capabilities of WDEVs 130, 132 that are associatedwith the BS/AP 116 in a wireless network. For example, a wireless localarea network (WLAN) may be established by the BS/AP 116 and one or moreof the other wireless communication devices (e.g., any other of theWDEVs 118-132) then associated with the BS/AP 116 during a negotiationprocess. Communications are then supported between the BS/AP 116 and theWDEVs 130, 132. During such communications, the BS/AP 116 determinescapabilities of WDEVs 130, 132. Examples of such capabilities of WDEVs130, 132 may include characteristics of the WDEVs 130, 132; ability ofthe WDEVs 130, 132 to operate in compliance with one or morecommunication standards, protocols, and/or recommended practices;whether WDEVs 130, 132 are battery operated or not, processing speedand/or operational capacity of the WDEVs 130, 132, and/or any othercharacteristics, capabilities, and/or other features associated with theWDEVs 130, 132).

Then, the BS/AP 116 generates a first orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple access (OFDMA) frame that includes resource unit (RU)allocation specified for the WDEVs 130, 132 and media access controller(MAC) padding that is based on at least one of the capabilities of WDEV130 and/or WDEV 132. The BS/AP 116 then transmits the first OFDMA frameto the WDEVs 130, 132 to be processed by the WDEVs 130, 132 to determinethe RU allocation and the MAC padding included therein. The BS/AP 116then receives a second OFDMA frame from the WDEVs 130, 132 based on theRU allocation.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment 201 of dense deploymentof wireless communication devices (shown as WDEVs in the diagram). Anyof the various WDEVs 210-234 may be access points (APs) or wirelessstations (STAs). For example, WDEV 210 may be an AP or an AP-operativeSTA that communicates with WDEVs 212, 214, 216, and 218 that are STAs.WDEV 220 may be an AP or an AP-operative STA that communicates withWDEVs 222, 224, 226, and 228 that are STAs. In certain instances, atleast one additional AP or AP-operative STA may be deployed, such asWDEV 230 that communicates with WDEVs 232 and 234 that are STAs. TheSTAs may be any type of one or more wireless communication device typesincluding wireless communication devices 118-132, and the APs orAP-operative STAs may be any type of one or more wireless communicationdevices including as BSs or APs 112-116. Different groups of the WDEVs210-234 may be partitioned into different basic services sets (BSSs). Insome instances, at least one of the WDEVs 210-234 are included within atleast one overlapping basic services set (OBSS) that cover two or moreBSSs. As described above with the association of WDEVs in an AP-STArelationship, one of the WDEVs may be operative as an AP and certain ofthe WDEVs can be implemented within the same basic services set (BSS).

This disclosure presents novel architectures, methods, approaches, etc.that allow for improved spatial re-use for next generation WiFi orwireless local area network (WLAN) systems. Next generation WiFi systemsare expected to improve performance in dense deployments where manyclients and APs are packed in a given area (e.g., which may be an area[indoor and/or outdoor] with a high density of devices, such as a trainstation, airport, stadium, building, shopping mall, arenas, conventioncenters, colleges, downtown city centers, etc. to name just someexamples). Large numbers of devices operating within a given area can beproblematic if not impossible using prior technologies.

In an example, WDEV 210 supports communications with WDEVs 214, 218.WDEV 210 determine capabilities of WDEVs 214, 218 that are associatedwith the BS/AP 116 in a wireless network. For example, a wireless localarea network (WLAN) may be established by the WDEV 210 and one or moreof the other WDEVs (e.g., any other of the WDEVs 212-234) thenassociated with the WDEV 210 during a negotiation process.Communications are then supported between the WDEV 210 and the WDEVs214, 218. During such communications, the WDEV 210 determinescapabilities of WDEVs 214, 218. Examples of such capabilities of WDEVs214, 218 may include characteristics of the WDEVs 214, 218; ability ofthe WDEVs 214, 218 to operate in compliance with one or morecommunication standards, protocols, and/or recommended practices;whether WDEVs 214, 218 are battery operated or not, processing speedand/or operational capacity of the WDEVs 214, 218, and/or any othercharacteristics, capabilities, and/or other features associated with theWDEVs 214, 218).

Then, the WDEV 210 generates a first OFDMA frame that includes RUallocation specified for the WDEVs 214, 218 and media access controller(MAC) padding that is based on at least one of the capabilities of WDEV130 and/or WDEV 132. The WDEV 210 then transmits the first OFDMA frameto the WDEVs 214, 218 to be processed by the WDEVs 214, 218 to determinethe RU allocation and the MAC padding included therein. The WDEV 210then receives a second OFDMA frame from the WDEVs 214, 218 based on theRU allocation.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example 202 of communicationbetween wireless communication devices. A wireless communication device310 (e.g., which may be any one of devices 118-132 as with reference toFIG. 1) is in communication with another wireless communication device390 (and/or any number of other wireless communication devices upthrough another wireless communication device 391) via a transmissionmedium. The wireless communication device 310 includes a communicationinterface 320 to perform transmitting and receiving of at least onesignal, symbol, packet, frame, etc. (e.g., using a transmitter 322 and areceiver 324) (note that general reference to packet or frame may beused interchangeably).

Generally speaking, the communication interface 320 is implemented toperform any such operations of an analog front end (AFE) and/or physicallayer (PHY) transmitter, receiver, and/or transceiver. Examples of suchoperations may include any one or more of various operations includingconversions between the frequency and analog or continuous time domains(e.g., such as the operations performed by a digital to analog converter(DAC) and/or an analog to digital converter (ADC)), gain adjustmentincluding scaling, filtering (e.g., in either the digital or analogdomains), frequency conversion (e.g., such as frequency upscaling and/orfrequency downscaling, such as to a baseband frequency at which one ormore of the components of the device 310 operates), equalization,pre-equalization, metric generation, symbol mapping and/or de-mapping,automatic gain control (AGC) operations, and/or any other operationsthat may be performed by an AFE and/or PHY component within a wirelesscommunication device.

In some implementations, the wireless communication device 310 alsoincludes a processing circuitry 330, and an associated memory 340, toexecute various operations including interpreting at least one signal,symbol, packet, and/or frame transmitted to wireless communicationdevice 390 and/or received from the wireless communication device 390and/or wireless communication device 391. The wireless communicationdevices 310 and 390 (and/or 391) may be implemented using at least oneintegrated circuit in accordance with any desired configuration orcombination of components, modules, etc. within at least one integratedcircuit. Also, the wireless communication devices 310, 390, and/or 391may each include one or more antennas for transmitting and/or receivingof at least one packet or frame (e.g., WDEV 390 may include m antennas,and WDEV 391 may include n antennas).

Also, in some examples, note that one or more of the processingcircuitry 330, the communication interface 320 (including the TX 322and/or RX 324 thereof), and/or the memory 340 may be implemented in oneor more “processing modules,” “processing circuits,” “processors,”and/or “processing units” or their equivalents. Considering one example,one processing circuitry 330 a may be implemented to include theprocessing circuitry 330, the communication interface 320 (including theTX 322 and/or RX 324 thereof), and the memory 340. Considering anotherexample, one processing circuitry 330 b may be implemented to includethe processing circuitry 330 and the memory 340 yet the communicationinterface 320 is a separate circuitry.

Considering even another example, two or more processing circuitries maybe implemented to include the processing circuitry 330, thecommunication interface 320 (including the TX 322 and/or RX 324thereof), and the memory 340. In such examples, such a “processingcircuitry” or “processing circuitries” (or “processor” or “processors”)is/are configured to perform various operations, functions,communications, etc. as described herein. In general, the variouselements, components, etc. shown within the device 310 may beimplemented in any number of “processing modules,” “processingcircuits,” “processors,” and/or “processing units” (e.g., 1, 2, . . . ,and generally using N such “processing modules,” “processing circuits,”“processors,” and/or “processing units”, where N is a positive integergreater than or equal to 1).

In some examples, the device 310 includes both processing circuitry 330and communication interface 320 configured to perform variousoperations. In other examples, the device 310 includes processingcircuitry 330 a configured to perform various operations. In even otherexamples, the device 310 includes processing circuitry 330 b configuredto perform various operations. Generally, such operations includegenerating, transmitting, etc. signals intended for one or more otherdevices (e.g., device 390 through 391) and receiving, processing, etc.other signals received for one or more other devices (e.g., device 390through 391).

In some examples, note that the communication interface 320, which iscoupled to the processing circuitry 330, that is configured to supportcommunications within a satellite communication system, a wirelesscommunication system, a wired communication system, a fiber-opticcommunication system, and/or a mobile communication system (and/or anyother type of communication system implemented using any type ofcommunication medium or media). Any of the signals generated andtransmitted and/or received and processed by the device 310 may becommunicated via any of these types of communication systems.

FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating another example 203 of communicationbetween wireless communication devices. At or during a first time (e.g.,time 1 (ΔT1)), the WDEV 310 transmits signal(s) to WDEVs 390, 391,and/or the WDEV 390 and/or WDEV 391 transmits other signal(s) to WDEV310. At or during a second time (e.g., time 2 (ΔT2)), the WDEV 310processes signal(s) received from WDEV 390 and/or WDEV 391, and/or theWDEVs 390, 391 processes signal(s) received from WDEV 310.

In some examples, the signal(s) communicated between WDEV 310 and WDEV390 may include OFDM/A frames, RU allocation(s), MAC padding, etc.and/or other information for use in supporting communications betweenWDEV 310 and WDEV 390.

In an example of operation and implementation,

In an example, WDEV 310 supports communications with WDEVs 390-391. WDEV310 determine capabilities of WDEVs 390-391 that are associated with theBS/AP 116 in a wireless network. For example, a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN) may be established by the WDEV 310 and one or more of theother WDEVs are then associated with the WDEV 310 during a negotiationprocess. Communications are then supported between the WDEV 310 and theWDEVs 390-391. During such communications, the WDEV 310 determinescapabilities of WDEVs 390-391. Examples of such capabilities of WDEVs390-391 may include characteristics of the WDEVs 390-391; ability of theWDEVs 390-391 to operate in compliance with one or more communicationstandards, protocols, and/or recommended practices; whether WDEVs390-391 are battery operated or not, processing speed and/or operationalcapacity of the WDEVs 390-391, and/or any other characteristics,capabilities, and/or other features associated with the WDEVs 390-391).

Then, the WDEV 310 generates a first OFDMA frame that includes RUallocation specified for the WDEVs 390-391 and media access controller(MAC) padding that is based on at least one of the capabilities of WDEV390 and/or WDEV 391. The WDEV 310 then transmits the first OFDMA frameto the WDEVs 390-391 to be processed by the WDEVs 390-391 to determinethe RU allocation and the MAC padding included therein. The WDEV 310then receives a second OFDMA frame from the WDEVs 390-391 based on theRU allocation.

In some examples, note that the capabilities of the at least one of theWDEVs 390-391 corresponds to a slowest processing speed capability ofthe WDEVs 390-391 to prepare data for transmission to the WDEV 310 basedon the RU allocation that is specified for the WDEVs 390-391. In someother examples, note that the capabilities of the at least one of theWDEVs 390-391 corresponds to one or the more slow yet not the slowestprocessing speed capability of the WDEVs 390-391 to prepare data fortransmission to the WDEV 310 based on the RU allocation that isspecified for the WDEVs 390-391 (e.g., the 2^(nd) to slowest, the 3^(rd)to slowest, or some other selected N^(th) to slowest processing speedcapability WDEV among the WDEVs 390-391, such as where N is a positiveinteger greater than or equal to 2). In other examples, note that thecapabilities of the at least one of the WDEVs 390-391 corresponds to anaverage processing speed capability of the WDEVs 390-391 to prepare datafor transmission to the WDEV 310 based on the RU allocation that isspecified for the WDEVs 390-391. In even other examples, note that thecapabilities of the at least one of the WDEVs 390-391 corresponds to anaverage processing speed capability of a subset of the WDEVs 390-391(e.g., the N^(th) slowest processing speed capability WDEVs among theWDEVs 390-391, such as where N is a positive integer greater than orequal to 2) to prepare data for transmission to the WDEV 310 based onthe RU allocation that is specified for the WDEVs 390-391. In general,the capabilities correspond may be implemented as corresponding tocertain characteristics of processing speed capability of the WDEVs390-391 and/or some subset of the WDEVs 390-391.

For example, each of the WDEVs 390-391 may have a respective ability orcapability to process and prepare data for transmission to the WDEV 310.The WDEV 310 determines which WDEV is the slowest WDEV among the WDEVs390-391 with the ability or capability to process and prepare data fortransmission to the WDEV 310 (e.g., which WDEV is slowest in preparingsuch data for transmission to the WDEV 310). Then, the WDEV 310 selectsthe MAC padding to be included within the first OFDMA frame that alsoincludes the RU allocation to be transmitted to the WDEVs 390-391. ThisMAC padding provides additional time so that (ideally) all of the WDEVs390-391 and specifically the WDEV that is the slowest in preparing suchdata for transmission to the WDEV 310 will have adequate time to prepareits respective data for transmission to the WDEV 310.

Note that the WDEVs 390-391 may all respectively prepare respective datato be included within the second OFDMA frame that gets transmitted toand received by the WDEV 310. In an example, second OFDMA frame includesfirst data from WDEV 390 that is modulated within a first subset ofOFDMA sub-carriers and also second data from WDEV 391 that is modulatedwithin a second subset of OFDMA sub-carriers.

Also, in other examples, note that the first OFDMA frame includes atrigger frame that includes a MAC header, which is followed by commoninformation for all of the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices, which is followed by per wireless communication device thatincludes first information for a first wireless communication device ofthe plurality of other wireless communication devices and includessecond information for a second wireless communication device of theplurality of other wireless communication devices, which is followed bythe MAC padding to provide time for the at least one of the plurality ofother wireless communication devices to prepare data for transmission tothe wireless communication device based on the RU allocation that isspecified within the first OFDMA frame. Moreover, in some examples, theMAC padding including at least one wireless station (STA) identifier(ID) that is not used by any of the WDEVs 390-391 associated with theWDEV 310 in the wireless network (e.g., WLAN).

In another example of implementation and operation, the WDEV 310includes both a processing circuitry to perform many of the operationsdescribed above and also includes a communication interface, coupled tothe processing circuitry, that is configured to support communicationswithin a satellite communication system, a wireless communicationsystem, a wired communication system, a fiber-optic communicationsystem, and/or a mobile communication system. The processing circuitryis configured to transmit the first OFDMA packet and/or the second OFDMApacket to WDEV 390 and/or WDEV 391 via the communication interface.

In yet another example of implementation and operation, the WDEV 310determines processing speed capabilities of WDEVs 390-391 associatedwith the WDEV 310 in a wireless network to prepare data for transmissionto the WDEV 310. The WDEV 310 then generates a first OFDMA frame thatincludes RU allocation specified for the WDEVs 390-391 and MAC paddingthat is based on a slowest processing speed capability of at least oneof the WDEVs 390-391 (e.g., WDEV 390 or WDEV 391) to prepare data fortransmission to the WDEV 310. The WDEV 310 then transmits the firstOFDMA frame to the WDEVs 390-391 to be processed by the WDEVs 390-391 todetermine the RU allocation and the MAC padding included therein. TheWDEVs 310 then receives a second OFDMA frame from the WDEVs 390-391based on the RU allocation. The MAC padding provides for adequate timefor even a slowest processing speed capable WDEV of the WDEVs 390-391 toprepare its respective data for transmission to the WDEV 310.

In some examples, each of the WDEVs 390-391 (e.g., STAs) communicates tothe WDEV 310 (e.g., an access point (AP)/central controller of a WLANthat includes WDEVs 390-391 associated with WDEV 310) regarding how longit takes that respective WDEV 390, . . . 391 to decode the an OFDMAframe (e.g., such as a trigger frame) and prepare and respond to senddata to the WDEV 310 in response thereto (e.g., in response to a triggerframe). Once the WDEV 310 (e.g., AP/central controller) knows this forall WDEVs 390-391 (e.g., STAs), then the WDEV 310 can calculate anddetermine the amount of MAC padding to be included within such an OFDMAframe (e.g., trigger frame). If there is a mixture of some fast/someslow devices among the WDEVs 390-391, the WDEV 310 can place informationfor slower devices within the WDEVs 390-391 firstly within such an OFDMAframe (e.g., trigger frame), so that that particular information isreceived/processed firstly. Then, if there are errors at the end of thetransmission, a given WDEV of the WDEVs 390-391 may need to abort itsrespective transmission. In some examples, it may be determined that aWDEV will speculatively decode such an OFDMA frame (e.g., trigger frame)assuming it will be decoded properly. Note that it may be only at theend of such an OFDMA frame (e.g., trigger frame) for a given WDEV toknow if such an OFDMA frame (e.g., trigger frame) was received properly.

Considering an example, assume all WDEVs 390-391 are slow at processingand preparing data for transmission to WDEV 310. Then, even if last WDEVin a list of the WDEVs 390-391 is a slow WDEV, then that WDEV won't getits reps information within such an OFDMA frame (e.g., trigger frame)until end of such an OFDMA frame (e.g., trigger frame), and that willmost likely be too late for a successful transmission to be preparedfrom that WDEV to the WDEV 310. However, if that WDEV can startpreparation after its information during processing and withinprocessing of such an OFDMA frame (e.g., trigger frame) as provided bysome additional time to be added such as based on MAC padding to beincluded within such an OFDMA frame (e.g., trigger frame), then therewill be enough time to allow that WDEV to meet its time requirement.Note that such information regarding capability information of the WDEVs390-391 may be performed during an association process between the WDEV310 and the WDEVs 390-391 (e.g., in association between STA/AP, exchangecapability information, etc.). An AP (e.g., WDEV 310) looks at every STA(e.g., all WDEVs 390-391) within such an OFDMA frame (e.g., triggerframe). The WDEV 310 then needs to put in some MAC padding therein, andthe WDEV 310 then determines how much padding to put in to accommodatethe WDEVs 390-391 (e.g., such as targeted to the slowestoperating/processing WDEV among the WDEVs 390-391).

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example 301 of orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexing (OFDM) and/or orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple access (OFDMA). OFDM's modulation may be viewed as dividing upan available spectrum into a plurality of narrowband sub-carriers (e.g.,relatively lower data rate carriers). The sub-carriers are includedwithin an available frequency spectrum portion or band. This availablefrequency spectrum is divided into the sub-carriers or tones used forthe OFDM or OFDMA symbols and packets/frames. Note that sub-carrier ortone may be used interchangeably. Typically, the frequency responses ofthese sub-carriers are non-overlapping and orthogonal. Each sub-carriermay be modulated using any of a variety of modulation coding techniques(e.g., as shown by the vertical axis of modulated data).

A communication device may be configured to perform encoding of one ormore bits to generate one or more coded bits used to generate themodulation data (or generally, data). For example, a processingcircuitry and the communication interface of a communication device maybe configured to perform forward error correction (FEC) and/or errorchecking and correction (ECC) code of one or more bits to generate oneor more coded bits. Examples of FEC and/or ECC may include turbo code,convolutional code, turbo trellis coded modulation (TTCM), low densityparity check (LDPC) code, Reed-Solomon (RS) code, BCH (Bose andRay-Chaudhuri, and Hocquenghem) code, binary convolutional code (BCC),Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC), and/or any other type of ECC and/or FECcode and/or combination thereof, etc. Note that more than one type ofECC and/or FEC code may be used in any of various implementationsincluding concatenation (e.g., first ECC and/or FEC code followed bysecond ECC and/or FEC code, etc. such as based on an inner code/outercode architecture, etc.), parallel architecture (e.g., such that firstECC and/or FEC code operates on first bits while second ECC and/or FECcode operates on second bits, etc.), and/or any combination thereof. Theone or more coded bits may then undergo modulation or symbol mapping togenerate modulation symbols. The modulation symbols may include dataintended for one or more recipient devices. Note that such modulationsymbols may be generated using any of various types of modulation codingtechniques. Examples of such modulation coding techniques may includebinary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK),8-phase shift keying (PSK), 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), 32amplitude and phase shift keying (APSK), etc., uncoded modulation,and/or any other desired types of modulation including higher orderedmodulations that may include even greater number of constellation points(e.g., 1024 QAM, etc.).

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating another example 302 of OFDM and/orOFDMA. A transmitting device transmits modulation symbols via thesub-carriers. Note that such modulation symbols may include datamodulation symbols, pilot modulation symbols (e.g., for use in channelestimation, characterization, etc.) and/or other types of modulationsymbols (e.g., with other types of information included therein). OFDMand/or OFDMA modulation may operate by performing simultaneoustransmission of a large number of narrowband carriers (or multi-tones).In some applications, a guard interval (GI) or guard space is sometimesemployed between the various OFDM symbols to try to minimize the effectsof ISI (Inter-Symbol Interference) that may be caused by the effects ofmulti-path within the communication system, which can be particularly ofconcern in wireless communication systems.

In addition, as shown in right hand side of FIG. 3A, a cyclic prefix(CP) and/or cyclic suffix (CS) (e.g., shown in right hand side of FIG.3A, which may be a copy of the CP) may also be employed within the guardinterval to allow switching time (e.g., such as when jumping to a newcommunication channel or sub-channel) and to help maintain orthogonalityof the OFDM and/or OFDMA symbols. In some examples, a certain amount ofinformation (e.g., data bits) at the end portion of the data portionis/are copied and placed at the beginning of the data to form theframe/symbol(s). In a specific example, consider that the data includesdata bits x₀,x₁, . . . x_(N−Ncp), . . . , x_(N−1), where the x_(N−Ncp)bit is the first bit of the end portion of the data portion that is tobe copied, then the bits x_(N−Ncp), . . . , x_(N−1), are copied andplaced at the beginning of the frame/symbol(s). Note that such endportion of the data portion is/are copied and placed at the beginning ofthe data to form the frame/symbol(s) may also be shifted, cyclicallyshifted, and/or copied more than once, etc. if desired in certainembodiments. Generally speaking, an OFDM and/or OFDMA system design isbased on the expected delay spread within the communication system(e.g., the expected delay spread of the communication channel).

In a single-user system in which one or more OFDM symbols or OFDMpackets/frames are transmitted between a transmitter device and areceiver device, all of the sub-carriers or tones are dedicated for usein transmitting modulated data between the transmitter and receiverdevices. In a multiple user system in which one or more OFDM symbols orOFDM packets/frames are transmitted between a transmitter device andmultiple recipient or receiver devices, the various sub-carriers ortones may be mapped to different respective receiver devices asdescribed below with respect to FIG. 3C.

FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating another example 303 of OFDM and/orOFDMA. Comparing OFDMA to OFDM, OFDMA is a multi-user version of thepopular orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) digitalmodulation scheme. Multiple access is achieved in OFDMA by assigningsubsets of sub-carriers to individual recipient devices or users. Forexample, first sub-carrier(s)/tone(s) may be assigned to a user 1,second sub-carrier(s)/tone(s) may be assigned to a user 2, and so on upto any desired number of users. In addition, such sub-carrier/toneassignment may be dynamic among different respective transmissions(e.g., a first assignment for a first packet/frame, a second assignmentfor second packet/frame, etc.). An

OFDM packet/frame may include more than one OFDM symbol. Similarly, anOFDMA packet/frame may include more than one OFDMA symbol. In addition,such sub-carrier/tone assignment may be dynamic among differentrespective symbols within a given packet/frame or superframe (e.g., afirst assignment for a first OFDMA symbol within a packet/frame, asecond assignment for a second OFDMA symbol within the packet/frame,etc.). Generally speaking, an OFDMA symbol is a particular type of OFDMsymbol, and general reference to OFDM symbol herein includes both OFDMand OFDMA symbols (and general reference to OFDM packet/frame hereinincludes both OFDM and OFDMA packets/frames, and vice versa). FIG. 3Cshows example 303 where the assignments of sub-carriers to differentusers are intermingled among one another (e.g., sub-carriers assigned toa first user includes non-adjacent sub-carriers and at least onesub-carrier assigned to a second user is located in between twosub-carriers assigned to the first user). The different groups ofsub-carriers associated with each user may be viewed as being respectivechannels of a plurality of channels that compose all of the availablesub-carriers for OFDM signaling.

FIG. 3D is a diagram illustrating another example 304 of OFDM and/orOFDMA. In this example 304, the assignments of sub-carriers to differentusers are located in different groups of adjacent sub-carriers (e.g.,first sub-carriers assigned to a first user include first adjacentlylocated sub-carrier group, second sub-carriers assigned to a second userinclude second adjacently located sub-carrier group, etc.). Thedifferent groups of adjacently located sub-carriers associated with eachuser may be viewed as being respective channels of a plurality ofchannels that compose all of the available sub-carriers for OFDMsignaling.

FIG. 3E is a diagram illustrating an example 305 of single-carrier (SC)signaling. SC signaling, when compared to OFDM signaling, includes asingular relatively wide channel across which signals are transmitted.In contrast, in OFDM, multiple narrowband sub-carriers or narrowbandsub-channels span the available frequency range, bandwidth, or spectrumacross which signals are transmitted within the narrowband sub-carriersor narrowband sub-channels.

Generally, a communication device may be configured to include aprocessing circuitry and the communication interface (or alternatively aprocessing circuitry, such a processing circuitry 330 a and/orprocessing circuitry 330 b shown in FIG. 2B) configured to processreceived OFDM and/or OFDMA symbols and/or frames (and/or SC symbolsand/or frames) and to generate such OFDM and/or OFDMA symbols and/orframes (and/or SC symbols and/or frames).

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example 401 of an OFDM/A packet.This packet includes at least one preamble symbol followed by at leastone data symbol. The at least one preamble symbol includes informationfor use in identifying, classifying, and/or categorizing the packet forappropriate processing.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating another example 402 of an OFDM/Apacket of a second type. This packet also includes a preamble and data.The preamble is composed of at least one short training field (STF), atleast one long training field (LTF), and at least one signal field(SIG). The data is composed of at least one data field. In both thisexample 402 and the prior example 401, the at least one data symboland/or the at least one data field may generally be referred to as thepayload of the packet. Among other purposes, STFs and LTFs can be usedto assist a device to identify that a frame is about to start, tosynchronize timers, to select an antenna configuration, to set receivergain, to set up certain the modulation parameters for the remainder ofthe packet, to perform channel estimation for uses such as beamforming,etc. In some examples, one or more STFs are used for gain adjustment(e.g., such as automatic gain control (AGC) adjustment), and a given STFmay be repeated one or more times (e.g., repeated 1 time in oneexample). In some examples, one or more LTFs are used for channelestimation, channel characterization, etc. (e.g., such as fordetermining a channel response, a channel transfer function, etc.), anda given LTF may be repeated one or more times (e.g., repeated up to 8times in one example).

Among other purposes, the SIGs can include various information todescribe the OFDM packet including certain attributes as data rate,packet length, number of symbols within the packet, channel width,modulation encoding, modulation coding set (MCS), modulation type,whether the packet as a single or multiuser frame, frame length, etc.among other possible information. This disclosure presents, among otherthings, a means by which a variable length second at least one SIG canbe used to include any desired amount of information. By using at leastone SIG that is a variable length, different amounts of information maybe specified therein to adapt for any situation.

Various examples are described below for possible designs of a preamblefor use in wireless communications as described herein.

FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating another example 403 of at least oneportion of an OFDM/A packet of another type. A field within the packetmay be copied one or more times therein (e.g., where N is the number oftimes that the field is copied, and N is any positive integer greaterthan or equal to one). This copy may be a cyclically shifted copy. Thecopy may be modified in other ways from the original from which the copyis made.

FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating another example 404 of an OFDM/Apacket of a third type. In this example 404, the OFDM/A packet includesone or more fields followed by one of more first signal fields(SIG(s) 1) followed by one of more second signal fields (SIG(s) 2)followed by and one or more data field.

FIG. 4E is a diagram illustrating another example 405 of an OFDM/Apacket of a fourth type. In this example 405, the OFDM/A packet includesone or more first fields followed by one of more first signal fields(SIG(s) 1) followed by one or more second fields followed by one of moresecond signal fields (SIG(s) 2) followed by and one or more data field.

FIG. 4F is a diagram illustrating another example 406 of an OFDM/Apacket. Such a general preamble format may be backward compatible withprior IEEE 802.11 prior standards, protocols, and/or recommendedpractices.

In this example 406, the OFDM/A packet includes a legacy portion (e.g.,at least one legacy short training field (STF) shown as L-STF, legacysignal field (SIG) shown as L-SIG) and a first signal field (SIG) (e.g.,VHT [Very High Throughput] SIG (shown as SIG-A)). Then, the OFDM/Apacket includes one or more other VHT portions (e.g., VHT short trainingfield (STF) shown as VHT-STF, one or more VHT long training fields(LTFs) shown as VHT-LTF, a second SIG (e.g., VHT SIG (shown as SIG-B)),and one or more data symbols.

Various diagrams below are shown that depict at least a portion (e.g.,preamble) of various OFDM/A packet designs.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating another example 501 of an OFDM/Apacket. In this example 501, the OFDM/A packet includes a signal field(SIG) and/or a repeat of that SIG that corresponds to a prior or legacycommunication standard, protocol, and/or recommended practice relativeto a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/orrecommended practice (shown as L-SIG/R-L-SIG) followed by a first atleast one SIG based on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard,protocol, and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A1, e.g., whereHE corresponds to high efficiency) followed by a second at least one SIGbased on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A2, e.g., where HE againcorresponds to high efficiency) followed by a short training field (STF)based on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-STF, e.g., where HE againcorresponds to high efficiency) followed by one or more fields.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating another example 502 of an OFDM/Apacket. In this example 502, the OFDM/A packet includes a signal field(SIG) and/or a repeat of that SIG that corresponds to a prior or legacycommunication standard, protocol, and/or recommended practice relativeto a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/orrecommended practice (shown as L-SIG/R-L-SIG) followed by a first atleast one SIG based on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard,protocol, and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A1, e.g., whereHE corresponds to high efficiency) followed by a second at least one SIGbased on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A2, e.g., where HE againcorresponds to high efficiency) followed by a third at least one SIGbased on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A3, e.g., where HE againcorresponds to high efficiency) followed by a fourth at least one SIGbased on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A4, e.g., where HE againcorresponds to high efficiency) followed by a STF based on a newer,developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/or recommendedpractice (shown as HE-STF, e.g., where HE again corresponds to highefficiency) followed by one or more fields.

FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating another example 502 of an OFDM/Apacket. In this example 503, the OFDM/A packet includes a signal field(SIG) and/or a repeat of that SIG that corresponds to a prior or legacycommunication standard, protocol, and/or recommended practice relativeto a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/orrecommended practice (shown as L-SIG/R-L-SIG) followed by a first atleast one SIG based on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard,protocol, and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A1, e.g., whereHE corresponds to high efficiency) followed by a second at least one SIGbased on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A2, e.g., where HE againcorresponds to high efficiency) followed by a third at least one SIGbased on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-B, e.g., where HE againcorresponds to high efficiency) followed by a STF based on a newer,developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/or recommendedpractice (shown as HE-STF, e.g., where HE again corresponds to highefficiency) followed by one or more fields. This example 503 shows adistributed SIG design that includes a first at least one SIG-A (e.g.,HE-SIG-A1 and HE-SIG-A2) and a second at least one SIG-B (e.g.,HE-SIG-B).

FIG. 5D is a diagram illustrating another example 504 of an OFDM/Apacket. This example 504 depicts a type of OFDM/A packet that includes apreamble and data. The preamble is composed of at least one shorttraining field (STF), at least one long training field (LTF), and atleast one signal field (SIG).

In this example 504, the preamble is composed of at least one shorttraining field (STF) that corresponds to a prior or legacy communicationstandard, protocol, and/or recommended practice relative to a newer,developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/or recommendedpractice (shown as L-STF(s)) followed by at least one long trainingfield (LTF) that corresponds to a prior or legacy communicationstandard, protocol, and/or recommended practice relative to a newer,developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/or recommendedpractice (shown as L-LTF(s)) followed by at least one SIG thatcorresponds to a prior or legacy communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice relative to a newer, developing, etc.communication standard, protocol, and/or recommended practice (shown asL-SIG(s)) and optionally followed by a repeat (e.g., or cyclicallyshifted repeat) of the L-SIG(s) (shown as RL-SIG(s)) followed by anotherat least one SIG based on a newer, developing, etc. communicationstandard, protocol, and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A,e.g., where HE again corresponds to high efficiency) followed by anotherat least one STF based on a newer, developing, etc. communicationstandard, protocol, and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-STF(s),e.g., where HE again corresponds to high efficiency) followed by anotherat least one LTF based on a newer, developing, etc. communicationstandard, protocol, and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-LTF(s),e.g., where HE again corresponds to high efficiency) followed by atleast one packet extension followed by one or more fields.

FIG. 5E is a diagram illustrating another example 505 of an OFDM/Apacket. In this example 505, the preamble is composed of at least onefield followed by at least one SIG that corresponds to a prior or legacycommunication standard, protocol, and/or recommended practice relativeto a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/orrecommended practice (shown as L-SIG(s)) and optionally followed by arepeat (e.g., or cyclically shifted repeat) of the L-SIG(s) (shown asRL-SIG(s)) followed by another at least one SIG based on a newer,developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/or recommendedpractice (shown as HE-SIG-A, e.g., where HE again corresponds to highefficiency) followed by one or more fields.

Note that information included in the various fields in the variousexamples provided herein may be encoded using various encoders. In someexamples, two independent binary convolutional code (BCC) encoders areimplemented to encode information corresponding to different respectivemodulation coding sets (MCSs) that are can be selected and/or optimizedwith respect to, among other things, the respective payload on therespective channel. Various communication channel examples are describedwith respect to FIG. 6D below.

Also, in some examples, a wireless communication device generatescontent that is included in the various SIGs (e.g., SIGA and/or SIGB) tosignal MCS(s) to one or more other wireless communication devices toinstruct which MCS(s) for those one or more other wireless communicationdevices to use with respect to one or more communications. In addition,in some examples, content included in a first at least one SIG (e.g.,SIGA) include information to specify at least one operational parameterfor use in processing a second at least one SIG (e.g., SIGB) within thesame OFDM/A packet.

Various OFDM/A frame structures are presented herein for use incommunications between wireless communication devices and specificallyshowing OFDM/A frame structures corresponding to one or more resourceunits (RUs). Such OFDM/A frame structures may include one or more RUs.Note that these various examples may include different total numbers ofsub-carriers, different numbers of data sub-carriers, different numbersof pilot sub-carriers, etc. Different RUs may also have different othercharacteristics (e.g., different spacing between the sub-carriers,different sub-carrier densities, implemented within different frequencybands, etc.).

FIG. 5F is a diagram illustrating an example 506 of selection amongdifferent OFDM/A frame structures for use in communications betweenwireless communication devices and specifically showing OFDM/A framestructures 350 corresponding to one or more resource units (RUs). Thisdiagram may be viewed as having some similarities to allocation ofsub-carriers to different users as shown in FIG. 4D and also shows howeach OFDM/A frame structure is associated with one or more RUs. Notethat these various examples may include different total numbers ofsub-carriers, different numbers of data sub-carriers, different numbersof pilot sub-carriers, etc. Different RUs may also have different othercharacteristics (e.g., different spacing between the sub-carriers,different sub-carrier densities, implemented within different frequencybands, etc.).

In one example, OFDM/A frame structure 1 351 is composed of at least oneRU 1 551. In another example, OFDM/A frame structure 1 351 is composedof at least one RU 1 551 and at least one RU 2 552. In another example,OFDM/A frame structure 1 351 is composed of at least one RU 1 551, atleast one RU 2 552, and at least one RU m 553. Similarly, the OFDM/Aframe structure 2 352 up through OFDM/A frame structure n 353 may becomposed of any combinations of the various RUs (e.g., including any oneor more RU selected from the RU 1 551 through RU m 553).

FIG. 5G is a diagram illustrating an example 507 of various types ofdifferent resource units (RUs). In this example 502, RU 1 551 includesA1 total sub-carrier(s), A2 data (D) sub-carrier(s), A3 pilot (P)sub-carrier(s), and A4 unused sub-carrier(s). RU 2 552 includes B1 totalsub-carrier(s), B2 D sub-carrier(s), B3 P sub-carrier(s), and B4 unusedsub-carrier(s). RU N 553 includes C1 total sub-carrier(s), C2 Dsub-carrier(s), C3 P sub-carrier(s), and C4 unused sub-carrier(s).

Considering the various RUs (e.g., across RU 1 551 to RU N 553), thetotal number of sub-carriers across the RUs increases from RU 1 551 toRU N 553 (e.g., A1<B1<C1). Also, considering the various RUs (e.g.,across RU 1 551 to RU N 553), the ratio of pilot sub-carriers to datasub-carriers across the RUs decreases from RU 1 551 to RU N 553 (e.g.,A3/A2>B3/B2>C3/C2).

In some examples, note that different RUs can include a different numberof total sub-carriers and a different number of data sub-carriers yetinclude a same number of pilot sub-carriers.

As can be seen, this disclosure presents various options for mapping ofdata and pilot sub-carriers (and sometimes unused sub-carriers thatinclude no modulation data or are devoid of modulation data) into OFDMAframes or packets (note that frame and packet may be usedinterchangeably herein) in various communications between communicationdevices including both the uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) such as withrespect to an access point (AP). Note that a user may generally beunderstood to be a wireless communication device implemented in awireless communication system (e.g., a wireless station (STA) or anaccess point (AP) within a wireless local area network (WLAN/WiFi)). Forexample, a user may be viewed as a given wireless communication device(e.g., a wireless station (STA) or an access point (AP), or anAP-operative STA within a wireless communication system). Thisdisclosure discussed localized mapping and distributed mapping of suchsub-carriers or tones with respect to different users in an OFDMAcontext (e.g., such as with respect to FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D includingallocation of sub-carriers to one or more users).

Some versions of the IEEE 802.11 standard have the following physicallayer (PHY) fast Fourier transform (FFT) sizes: 32, 64, 128, 256, 512.

These PHY FFT sizes are mapped to different bandwidths (BWs) (e.g.,which may be achieved using different downclocking ratios or factorsapplied to a first clock signal to generate different other clocksignals such as a second clock signal, a third clock signal, etc.). Inmany locations, this disclosure refers to FFT sizes instead of BW sinceFFT size determines a user's specific allocation of sub-carriers, RUs,etc. and the entire system BW using one or more mappings ofsub-carriers, RUs, etc.

This disclosure presents various ways by which the mapping of N users'sdata into the system BW tones (localized or distributed). For example,if the system BW uses 256 FFT, modulation data for 8 different users caneach use a 32 FFT, respectively. Alternatively, if the system BW uses256 FFT, modulation data for 4 different users can each use a 64 FFT,respectively. In another alternative, if the system BW uses 256 FFT,modulation data for 2 different users can each use a 128 FFT,respectively. Also, any number of other combinations is possible withunequal BW allocated to different users such as 32 FFT to 2 users, 64FFT for one user, and 128 FFT for the last user.

Localized mapping (e.g., contiguous sub-carrier allocations to differentusers such as with reference to FIG. 3D) is preferable for certainapplications such as low mobility users (e.g., that remain stationary orsubstantially stationary and whose location does not change frequently)since each user can be allocated to a sub-band based on at least onecharacteristic. An example of such a characteristic includes allocationto a sub-band that maximizes its performance (e.g., highest SNR orhighest capacity in multi-antenna system). The respective wirelesscommunication devices (users) receive frames or packets (e.g., beacons,null data packet (NDP), data, etc. and/or other frame or packet types)over the entire band and feedback their preferred sub-band or a list ofpreferred sub-bands. Alternatively, a first device (e.g., transmitter,AP, or STA) transmits at least one OFDMA packet to a secondcommunication device, and the second device (e.g., receiver, a STA, oranother STA) may be configured to measure the first device's initialtransmission occupying the entire band and choose a best/good orpreferable sub-band. The second device can be configured to transmit theselection of the information to the first device via feedback, etc.

In some examples, a device is configured to employ PHY designs for 32FFT, 64 FFT and 128 FFT as OFDMA blocks inside of a 256 FFT system BW.When this is done, there can be some unused sub-carriers (e.g., holes ofunused sub-carriers within the provisioned system BW being used). Thiscan also be the case for the lower FFT sizes. In some examples, when anFFT is an integer multiple of another, the larger FFT can be a duplicatea certain number of times of the smaller FFT (e.g., a 512 FFT can be anexact duplicate of two implementations of 256 FFT). In some examples,when using 256 FFT for system BW the available number of tones is 242that can be split among the various users that belong to the OFDMA frameor packet (DL or UL).

In some examples, a PHY design can leave gaps of sub-carriers betweenthe respective wireless communication devices (users) (e.g., unusedsub-carriers). For example, users 1 and 4 may each use a 32 FFTstructure occupying a total of 26×2=52 sub-carriers, user 2 may use a 64FFT occupying 56 sub-carriers and user 3 may use 128 FFT occupying 106sub-carriers adding up to a sum total of 214 sub-carriers leaving 28sub-carriers unused.

In another example, only 32 FFT users are multiplexed allowing up to 9users with 242 sub-carriers−(9 users×26 RUs)=8 unused sub-carriersbetween the users. In yet another example, for 64 FFT users aremultiplexed with 242 sub-carriers−(4 users×56 RUs)=18 unusedsub-carriers.

The unused sub-carriers can be used to provide better separation betweenusers especially in the UL where users's energy can spill into eachother due to imperfect time/frequency/power synchronization creatinginter-carrier interference (ICI).

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating another example 601 of various typesof different RUs. In this example 601, RU 1 includes X1 totalsub-carrier(s), X2 data (D) sub-carrier(s), X3 pilot (P) sub-carrier(s),and X4 unused sub-carrier(s). RU 2 includes Y1 total sub-carrier(s), Y2D sub-carrier(s), Y3 P sub-carrier(s), and Y4 unused sub-carrier(s). RUq includes Z1 total sub-carrier(s), Z2 D sub-carrier(s), Z3 Psub-carrier(s), and Z4 unused sub-carrier(s). In this example 601, notethat different RUs can include different spacing between thesub-carriers, different sub-carrier densities, implemented withindifferent frequency bands, span different ranges within at least onefrequency band, etc.

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating another example 602 of various typesof different RUs. This diagram shows RU 1 that includes 26 contiguoussub-carriers that include 24 data sub-carriers, and 2 pilotsub-carriers; RU 2 that includes 52 contiguous sub-carriers that include48 data sub-carriers, and 4 pilot sub-carriers; RU 3 that includes 106contiguous sub-carriers that include 102 data sub-carriers, and 4 pilotsub-carriers; RU 4 that includes 242 contiguous sub-carriers thatinclude 234 data sub-carriers, and 8 pilot sub-carriers; RU 5 thatincludes 484 contiguous sub-carriers that include 468 data sub-carriers,and 16 pilot sub-carriers; and RU 6 that includes 996 contiguoussub-carriers that include 980 data sub-carriers, and 16 pilotsub-carriers.

Note that RU 2 and RU 3 include a first/same number of pilotsub-carriers (e.g., 4 pilot sub-carriers each), and RU 5 and RU 6include a second/same number of pilot sub-carriers (e.g., 16 pilotsub-carriers each). The number of pilot sub-carriers remains same orincreases across the RUs. Note also that some of the RUs include aninteger multiple number of sub-carriers of other RUs (e.g., RU 2includes 52 total sub-carriers, which is 2×the 26 total sub-carriers ofRU 1, and RU 5 includes 242 total sub-carriers, which is 2×the 242 totalsub-carriers of RU 4).

FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating an example 603 of various types ofcommunication protocol specified physical layer (PHY) fast Fouriertransform (FFT) sizes. The device 310 is configured to generate andtransmit OFDMA packets based on various PHY FFT sizes as specifiedwithin at least one communication protocol. Some examples of PHY FFTsizes, such as based on IEEE 802.11, include PHY FFT sizes such as 32,64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, and/or other sizes.

In one example, the device 310 is configured to generate and transmit anOFDMA packet based on RU 1 that includes 26 contiguous sub-carriers thatinclude 24 data sub-carriers, and 2 pilot sub-carriers and to transmitthat OFDMA packet based on a PHY FFT 32 (e.g., the RU 1 fits within thePHY FFT 32). In one example, the device 310 is configured to generateand transmit an OFDMA packet based on RU 2 that includes 52 contiguoussub-carriers that include 48 data sub-carriers, and 4 pilot sub-carriersand to transmit that OFDMA packet based on a PHY FFT 56 (e.g., the RU 2fits within the PHY FFT 56). The device 310 uses other sized RUs forother sized PHY FFTs based on at least one communication protocol.

Note also that any combination of RUs may be used. In another example,the device 310 is configured to generate and transmit an OFDMA packetbased on two RUs based on RU 1 and one RU based on RU 2 based on a PHYFFT 128 (e.g., two RUs based on RU 1 and one RU based on RU 2 includes atotal of 104 sub-carriers). The device 310 is configured to generate andtransmit any OFDMA packets based on any combination of RUs that can fitwithin an appropriately selected PHY FFT size of at least onecommunication protocol.

Note also that any given RU may be sub-divided or partitioned intosubsets of sub-carriers to carry modulation data for one or more users(e.g., such as with respect to FIG. 3C or FIG. 3D).

FIG. 6D is a diagram illustrating an example 604 of different channelbandwidths and relationship there between. In one example, a device(e.g., the device 310) is configured to generate and transmit any OFDMApacket based on any of a number of OFDMA frame structures within variouscommunication channels having various channel bandwidths. For example, a160 MHz channel may be subdivided into two 80 MHz channels. An 80 MHzchannel may be subdivided into two 40 MHz channels. A 40 MHz channel maybe subdivided into two 20 MHz channels. Note also such channels may belocated within the same frequency band, the same frequency sub-band oralternatively among different frequency bands, different frequencysub-bands, etc.

This disclosure presents, among other things, padding options fortrigger frame format. In some examples, this includes padding optionsfor trigger frame format in legacy format (e.g., IEEE 802.11 versions,standards, amendments, communication protocols, and/or recommendedpractices, etc. that were developed, issued, etc. before a current IEEE802.11 version, standard, amendment, communication protocol, and/orrecommended practice, etc.).

In a wireless communication system (e.g., a WLAN system) in which acentral controller (e.g., an access point (AP), an-AP-operative wirelessstation (STA), etc.) makes decisions about which device may access themedium, resources (e.g., such as resource units (RUs) as describedabove, and/or other resources) are allocated after consideration ofcompeting resource requests from participating STAs.

The central controller provides resource unit (RU) allocation(s) foreach given phase of data exchange, where each phase of data exchangemight provide RUs to more than one participating STA corresponding to asingle window of time. The RUs for different STAs are orthogonal throughvarious means, e.g., frequency orthogonal, spatially orthogonal, etc.

The central controller indicates the RU for each STA in a broadcastedframe. Such indication may be made using a trigger frame. Various frameformats to perform indication of RU for each STA (e.g., trigger frames)are presented herein.

In an example, a STA will prepare data for transmission to the centralcontroller after parsing the RU information conveyed in the triggerframe and discovering a RU allocated to itself.

In a WLAN system (e.g., one operating in accordance with an existingIEEE 802.11 version, standard, amendment, communication protocol, and/orrecommended practice, etc.), after receiving a frame from the centralcontroller, there is a short inter-frame space (SIFS) waiting time for aSTA to prepare data and start transmission.

However, after receiving a trigger frame that is designed to initiatesimultaneous transmissions from multiple STAs within a given window oftime, some slowly responding STAs may not be capable of startingtransmission after SIFS. This may be due, for example, to longprocessing time needed to prepare a frame that will fit into the RUbecause the allocation is not known until the arrival of the triggerframe, so that there is no time for pre-processing the transmission.

Considering that in certain regulatory domains, Listen Before Talk (LBT)is required for STAs before initiating a transmission to the centralcontroller, it is even harder for the slow STAs to be able to have adata transmission ready within SIFS time.

This disclosure proposes several padding options on the trigger frame toallow more time for STAs to prepare their transmissions.

In many of the following diagrams, certain acronyms are used including:FC=frame control, PPDU=PLCP Protocol Data Unit (PPDU), UL=uplink (UL),UL GI=uplink (UL) guard interval (GI), BW=bandwidth, HE=High Efficiency,HE-LTF Configuration=High Efficiency long training field (LTF)Configuration, FCS=frame check sequence (FCS), SRU=starting RU (SRU),ERU=ending RU (ERU), MAC padding=media access control (MAC) padding,NDP=null data packet (NDP), STF=short training field (STF), LTF=longtraining field (LTF), SIG=signal field (SIG), TX=transmission,SIFS=short inter-frame space (SIFS), RIFS=reduced inter-frame space(RIFS), network allocation vector (NAV), etc.

Design Features (1)

Option 1-(RU info)+FCS+(MAC padding)+FCS

Adding a separated p-frame check sequence (pFCS) right after the RUallocation information followed by MAC padding and the normal framecheck sequence (FCS). The position of the pFCS may be implicitly orexplicitly indicated

Examples of explicit indication may include any one or more of thefollowing:

-   -   pFCS may use the same polynomial function of normal FCS.    -   pFCS may use different polynomial function to differentiate from        the normal FCS.    -   pFCS may use same polynomial function of normal FCS but the        generated FCS may be scrambled to differentiate from normal FCS.    -   pFCS may use same polynomial function of normal FCS but the        generated FCS may be inverted to differentiate from normal FCS.    -   RU Info boundary field or starting RU (SRU)/ending RU (ERU)        field (discussed below) indicate the end or RU information and        the start of the pFCS.

Examples of implicit indication may include any one or more of thefollowing:

-   -   pFCS is calculated by the recipient on a running basis and if        the pFCS calculation matches the expected pFCS result, then the        pFCS is assumed to be found. Note that if the recipient reaches        the end of the frame without having found a pFCS calculation        match, the frame is assumed to have an error and is discarded.    -   pFCS may use different polynomial function to differentiate from        the normal FCS.    -   pFCS may use same polynomial function of normal FCS but the        generated FCS may be scrambled to differentiate from normal FCS.    -   pFCS may use same polynomial function of normal FCS but the        generated FCS may be inverted to differentiate from normal FCS.

STAs, upon validating the pFCS, may start to prepare the Uplink (UL)transmissions (e.g., prepare their own respective data for transmissionto the central controller such as part of an UL OFDMA frame includingdifferent respective data from different respective STAs such as may beperformed in accordance with FIG. 3C or 3D).

L-SIG indicates the end of the frame including the normal FCS.

Legacy device can still use the duration in the MAC header to correctlyset the network allocation vector (NAV).

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example 701 of a frame format. Thisdiagram shows Option 1 a-RU length indication in Common part. The pFCSlocation is implicitly indicated. Parity bits are added in front of thepayload to reduce the probability of a false detection of the pFCS.

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating another example 702 of a frame format.This diagram shows Option 1 b-RU length indication in Common part. RUboundary field indicates the location of the pFCS. The RU boundary fieldmay indicate the total length of the RU allocation information orindicate the number of Per STA Block info if the Per block STA info iswith fixed size.

FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating another example 703 of a frame format.This diagram shows Option 1 c-Per STA part contains first/last Per STApart indication. Per STA Block contains SRU (Starting RU) and ERU(Ending RU) bits, SRU=1, ERU=0 indicates the first RU allocation; SRU=0,ERU=1 indicates the last RU allocation. Per STA Block may only containERU bit, ERU=1 indicate the current Per STA Block is the last block inthe trigger frame. pFCS location is immediately after the last Per STABlock.

FIG. 7D is a diagram illustrating another example 704 of a frame format.This diagram shows Option 1 d-RU length indication in MAC header. RUboundary contains the same information as in Option 1 b, the RU boundaryfield is in MAC header.

Option 2-(RU info)+(MAC padding)+FCS

Some of these examples are implemented by having only one FCS at the endof frame. A STA, upon receiving its own RU allocation information, maystart to prepare UL transmission, it may abort the UL transmission ifthe FCS check fails. In an example of operation, this can abort the TXbefore it even begins, at the point when the FCS check fails. In anexample of operation, this can abort the preparation of the TX at thepoint when the FCS check fails.

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating another example 801 of a frame format.The indication method can be same as option 1. This diagram shows Option2 a-RU length indication in Common part.

FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating another example 802 of a frame format.This diagram shows Option 2 b-Per STA part contains first/last Per STApart indication.

In another example, such as an Option 2 c, the location of last per STABlock is not needed, since MAC padding is designed to not match a validencoding of a per STA block.

FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating another example 803 of a frame format.This diagram shows Option 2 d—Special MAC padding. In this diagram, theMAC padding is performed with special Per STA info. In some examples,the STAID value is set as a reserved value to indicate the Per STA infois padding and needs no processing, e.g. STAID[11:0], RU[7:0]STAID=0x000. The RU value is set as a reserved value to indicate the PerSTA info is padding and needs no processing. For cases that one STA isonly allowed to have one RU, Per STA info may have a STAID that doesn'tmatch with any STA to trigger for the purpose of padding.

Option 3-(RU info)+FCS+(MAC padding)+FCS

This option generally is implemented by adding a separated pFCS afterthe RU allocation information followed by MAC padding and the normalFCS.

In some examples, STAs upon validating the pFCS may start to prepare theUL transmissions. L-SIG indicate the end of the frame including thenormal FCS.

FIG. 8D is a diagram illustrating another example 804 of a frame format.This diagram shows Option 3 a: The pFCS is indicated by the L-SIG lengthminus a fixed offset (fixed MAC padding length).

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating another example 901 of a frame format.This diagram shows Option 3 b: The pFCS is indicated by the L-SIG lengthminus a fixed offset, a MAC Padding indication bit indicate if the L-SIGlength indicate the real length of the frame or the frame with fixedsize padding.

Note that a Legacy device can still use the duration in the MAC headerto correctly set the NAV.

Option 4-(RU info)+FCS+(PHY padding) FIG. 9B is a diagram illustratinganother example 902 of a frame format. This option generally isimplemented by appending PHY padding right after the FCS field.

L-SIG indicates the frame length that doesn't include the PHY paddingfor legacy device to correctly locate the FCS.

Legacy STAs can still use duration in the MAC header to set the NAV.

Legacy STAs that missed the MAC header or failed MAC FCS may performenergy detection during the PHY padding to determine the channel isbusy.

Option 5-(RU info)+FCS+(XIFS)+NDP

FIG. 9C is a diagram illustrating another example 903 of a frame format.After XIFS (length to be determined (TBD)), a NDP frame is transmittedto mute the legacy STAs. One bit NDP padding bit in the common part ofthe trigger frame tells HE STAs to wait for the transmission of the NDPbefore transmitting their UL PPDU.

The XIFS may be set as 2 μs (same as RIFS). The following NDP frame doesnot need to be processed by HE STAs. For legacy STAs which recognize theMAC header of trigger frame and receive a valid FCS, RIFS will besufficient. Those STAs do not need to receive the NDP because they haveNAV information from the Trigger frame. Legacy STAs which fail toreceive NAV information may detect the presence of the NDP at SNR lowerthan energy detect and properly defer until the start of the UL PPDUwhich will again cause them to defer.

NDP frame provides 6 symbols of extra time for HE receivers to prepareUL transmissions and is also flexible for further extension by settingthe SIG length field value of the NDP to a non-zero value.

FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method 1001 forexecution by one or more wireless communication devices. The method 1001begins in step 1010 by determining a plurality of capabilities of aplurality of other wireless communication devices associated with thewireless communication device in a wireless network. The method 1001continues in step 1020 by generating a first OFDM/A frame that includesRU allocation specified for the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices and MAC padding that is based on at least one ofthe plurality of capabilities of at least one of the plurality of otherwireless communication devices.

The method 1001 then operates in step 1030 by transmitting, via acommunication interface of the wireless communication device, the firstOFDM/A frame to the plurality of other wireless communication devices tobe processed by the plurality of other wireless communication devices todetermine the RU allocation and the MAC padding included therein. Themethod 1001 then continues in step 1040 by receiving, via thecommunication interface of the wireless communication device, a secondOFDM/A frame from the plurality of other wireless communication devicesbased on the RU allocation.

FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a method 1002for execution by one or more wireless communication devices. The method1002 operates in step 1011 by receiving, via a communication interfaceof the wireless communication device, a first OFDM/A frame from anotherWDEV.

The method 1002 continues in step 1021 by processing the first OFDM/Aframe to determine if the first OFDM/A frame is intended for the WDEVexecuting the method 1001. For example, the step 1021 may includedetermining whether a wireless station (STA) identifier (ID) of the WDEVexecuting the method 1001 is specified and included within the firstOFDM/A frame. When it is determined that the first OFDM/A frame isintended for the WDEV executing the method 1001 (e.g., a favorablecomparison in step 1031), then the method 1002 then operates in step1041 by (continuing) process of the first OFDM/A frame to determine RUallocation and MAC padding. The method 1002 then continues in step 1051by preparing data for transmission in a second OFDM/A frame to the otherWDEV (e.g., as part of an uplink (UL) TX with other WDEVs). The method1002 continues in step 1061 by transmitting the data to the other WDEVin the second OFDM/A frame.

Alternatively, when it is determined that the first OFDM/A frame is notintended for the WDEV executing the method 1001 (e.g., an unfavorablecomparison in step 1031), then the method 1002 then operates in step1071 by discarding first OFDM/A frame/ending processing.

It is noted that the various operations and functions described withinvarious methods herein may be performed within a wireless communicationdevice (e.g., such as by the processing circuitry 330, communicationinterface 320, and memory 340 and/or processing circuitry 330 a and/orprocessing circuitry 330 b such as described with reference to FIG. 2B)and/or other components therein. Generally, a communication interfaceand processing circuitry (or alternatively a processing circuitry thatincludes communication interface functionality, components, circuitry,etc.) in a wireless communication device can perform such operations.

Examples of some components may include one of more baseband processingmodules, one or more media access control (MAC) layer components, one ormore physical layer (PHY) components, and/or other components, etc. Forexample, such a processing circuitry can perform baseband processingoperations and can operate in conjunction with a radio, analog front end(AFE), etc. The processing circuitry can generate such signals, packets,frames, and/or equivalents etc. as described herein as well as performvarious operations described herein and/or their respective equivalents.

In some embodiments, such a baseband processing module and/or aprocessing module (which may be implemented in the same device orseparate devices) can perform such processing to generate signals fortransmission to another wireless communication device using any numberof radios and antennas. In some embodiments, such processing isperformed cooperatively by a processing circuitry in a first device andanother processing circuitry within a second device. In otherembodiments, such processing is performed wholly by a processingcircuitry within one device.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “configured to,” “operably coupled to,” “coupled to,” and/or“coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/or indirectcoupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes,but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or amodule) where, for an example of indirect coupling, the intervening itemdoes not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its currentlevel, voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein,inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another elementby inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items inthe same manner as “coupled to”. As may even further be used herein, theterm “configured to,” “operable to,” “coupled to,” or “operably coupledto” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections,input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, one or more itscorresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to oneor more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term“associated with,” includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separateitems and/or one item being embedded within another item.

As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably” or equivalent,indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc.,provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desiredrelationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, afavorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 isgreater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is lessthan that of signal 1.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module,” “processingcircuit,” “processor,” and/or “processing unit” or their equivalents maybe a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Sucha processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of thecircuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module,module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit may be, or furtherinclude, memory and/or an integrated memory element, which may be asingle memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embeddedcircuitry of another processing module, module, processing circuit,and/or processing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory,random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, staticmemory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any devicethat stores digital information. Note that if the processing module,module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more thanone processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located(e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless busstructure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing viaindirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network).Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit,and/or processing unit implements one or more of its functions via astate machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the correspondingoperational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, thecircuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memoryelement may store, and the processing module, module, processingcircuit, and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operationalinstructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/orfunctions illustrated in one or more of the Figures. Such a memorydevice or memory element can be included in an article of manufacture.

One or more embodiments of an invention have been described above withthe aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specifiedfunctions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence ofthese functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarilydefined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries andsequences can be defined so long as the specified functions andrelationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundariesor sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claims.Further, the boundaries of these functional building blocks have beenarbitrarily defined for convenience of description. Alternate boundariescould be defined as long as the certain significant functions areappropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also havebeen arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certain significantfunctionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries andsequence could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certainsignificant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both functionalbuilding blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus withinthe scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One of average skill inthe art will also recognize that the functional building blocks, andother illustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can beimplemented as illustrated or by discrete components, applicationspecific integrated circuits, processing circuitries, processorsexecuting appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

The one or more embodiments are used herein to illustrate one or moreaspects, one or more features, one or more concepts, and/or one or moreexamples of the invention. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, anarticle of manufacture, a machine, and/or of a process may include oneor more of the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. describedwith reference to one or more of the embodiments discussed herein.Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporate the sameor similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may use the sameor different reference numbers and, as such, the functions, steps,modules, etc. may be the same or similar functions, steps, modules, etc.or different ones.

Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from, and/orbetween elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein maybe analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-endedor differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as asingle-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path.Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it alsorepresents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particulararchitectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise beimplemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, directconnectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between otherelements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.

The term “module” is used in the description of one or more of theembodiments. A module includes a processing module, a processor, afunctional block, a processing circuitry, hardware, and/or memory thatstores operational instructions for performing one or more functions asmay be described herein. Note that, if the module is implemented viahardware, the hardware may operate independently and/or in conjunctionwith software and/or firmware. As also used herein, a module may containone or more sub-modules, each of which may be one or more modules.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of theone or more embodiments have been expressly described herein, othercombinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. Thepresent disclosure of an invention is not limited by the particularexamples disclosed herein and expressly incorporates these othercombinations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless communication device comprising: acommunication interface; and processing circuitry that is coupled to thecommunication interface, wherein at least one of the communicationinterface or the processing circuitry configured to: determine aplurality of capabilities of a plurality of other wireless communicationdevices associated with the wireless communication device in a wirelessnetwork, wherein the plurality of capabilities include at least oneoperational characteristic of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices communicated by the plurality of other wirelessdevices when establishing network communications; generate a firstorthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) frame thatincludes resource unit (RU) allocation specified for the plurality ofother wireless communication devices and media access controller (MAC)padding that is based on at least one of the plurality of capabilitiesof at least one of the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices, and includes at least one wireless station (STA) identifier(ID) that is not used by any of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices associated with the wireless communication devicein the wireless network; transmit the first OFDMA frame to the pluralityof other wireless communication devices to be processed by the pluralityof other wireless communication devices to determine the RU allocationand the MAC padding included therein; and receive a second OFDMA framefrom the plurality of other wireless communication devices based on theRU allocation.
 2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, whereinthe at least one of the plurality of capabilities of the at least one ofthe plurality of other wireless communication devices corresponds to aslowest processing speed capability of the at least one of the pluralityof other wireless communication devices to prepare data for transmissionto the wireless communication device based on the RU allocation that isspecified for the at least one of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices.
 3. The wireless communication device of claim 1,wherein the second OFDMA frame includes: first data from a firstwireless communication device of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices that is modulated within a first subset of OFDMAsub-carriers; and second data from a second wireless communicationdevice of the plurality of other wireless communication devices that ismodulated within a second subset of OFDMA sub-carriers.
 4. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 1, wherein the first OFDMA frame includesa trigger frame that includes: a MAC header, which is followed by commoninformation for all of the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices, which is followed by per wireless communication device thatincludes first information for a first wireless communication device ofthe plurality of other wireless communication devices and includessecond information for a second wireless communication device of theplurality of other wireless communication devices, which is followed bythe MAC padding to provide time for the at least one of the plurality ofother wireless communication devices to prepare data for transmission tothe wireless communication device based on the RU allocation that isspecified within the first OFDMA frame.
 5. The wireless communicationdevice of claim 1 further comprising: the communication interfaceconfigured to support communications within at least one of a satellitecommunication system, a wireless communication system, a wiredcommunication system, a fiber-optic communication system, or a mobilecommunication system.
 6. The wireless communication device of claim 1further comprising: an access point (AP), wherein the plurality of otherwireless communication devices includes a wireless station (STA).
 7. Thewireless communication device of claim 1 further comprising: a wirelessstation (STA), wherein the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices includes at least one of an access point (AP) or another STA. 8.A wireless communication device comprising: a communication interface;and processing circuitry that is coupled to the communication interface,wherein at least one of the communication interface or the processingcircuitry configured to: determine a plurality of processing speedcapabilities of a plurality of other wireless communication devicesassociated with the wireless communication device in a wireless networkto prepare data for transmission to the wireless communication device;generate a first orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA)frame that includes resource unit (RU) allocation specified for theplurality of other wireless communication devices and media accesscontroller (MAC) padding that is based on a slowest processing speedcapability of at least one of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices to prepare data for transmission to the wirelesscommunication device, and includes at least one wireless station (STA)identifier (ID) that is not used by any of the plurality of otherwireless communication devices associated with the wirelesscommunication device in the wireless network; transmit the first OFDMAframe to the plurality of other wireless communication devices to beprocessed by the plurality of other wireless communication devices todetermine the RU allocation and the MAC padding included therein; andreceive a second OFDMA frame from the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices based on the RU allocation.
 9. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 8, wherein the second OFDMA frameincludes: first data from a first wireless communication device of theplurality of other wireless communication devices that is modulatedwithin a first subset of OFDMA sub-carriers; and second data from asecond wireless communication device of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices that is modulated within a second subset of OFDMAsub-carriers.
 10. The wireless communication device of claim 8, wherein:the first OFDMA frame includes a trigger frame that includes a MACheader, which is followed by common information for all of the pluralityof other wireless communication devices, which is followed by perwireless communication device that includes first information for afirst wireless communication device of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices and includes second information for a secondwireless communication device of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices, which is followed by the MAC padding to providetime for the at least one of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices to prepare data for transmission to the wirelesscommunication device based on the RU allocation that is specified withinthe first OFDMA frame; and the MAC padding including at least onewireless station (STA) identifier (ID) that is not used by any of theplurality of other wireless communication devices associated with thewireless communication device in the wireless network.
 11. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 8 further comprising: the communicationinterface configured to support communications within at least one of asatellite communication system, a wireless communication system, a wiredcommunication system, a fiber-optic communication system, or a mobilecommunication system.
 12. The wireless communication device of claim 8further comprising: an access point (AP), wherein the plurality of otherwireless communication devices includes a wireless station (STA).
 13. Amethod for execution by a wireless communication device, the methodcomprising: determining a plurality of capabilities of a plurality ofother wireless communication devices associated with the wirelesscommunication device in a wireless network, wherein the plurality ofcapabilities include at least one operational characteristic of theplurality of other wireless communication devices communicated by theplurality of other wireless devices when establishing networkcommunications; generating a first orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple access (OFDMA) frame that includes resource unit (RU)allocation specified for the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices and media access controller (MAC) padding that is based on atleast one of the plurality of capabilities of at least one of theplurality of other wireless communication devices, and includes at leastone wireless station (STA) identifier (ID) that is not used by any ofthe plurality of other wireless communication devices associated withthe wireless communication device in the wireless network; transmitting,via a communication interface of the wireless communication device, thefirst OFDMA frame to the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices to be processed by the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices to determine the RU allocation and the MAC padding includedtherein; and receiving, via the communication interface of the wirelesscommunication device, a second OFDMA frame from the plurality of otherwireless communication devices based on the RU allocation.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the at least one of the plurality ofcapabilities of the at least one of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices corresponds to a slowest processing speedcapability of the at least one of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices to prepare data for transmission to the wirelesscommunication device based on the RU allocation that is specified forthe at least one of the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the second OFDMA frameincludes: first data from a first wireless communication device of theplurality of other wireless communication devices that is modulatedwithin a first subset of OFDMA sub-carriers; and second data from asecond wireless communication device of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices that is modulated within a second subset of OFDMAsub-carriers.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first OFDMA frameincludes a trigger frame that includes: a MAC header, which is followedby common information for all of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices, which is followed by per wireless communicationdevice that includes first information for a first wirelesscommunication device of the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices and includes second information for a second wirelesscommunication device of the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices, which is followed by the MAC padding to provide time for the atleast one of the plurality of other wireless communication devices toprepare data for transmission to the wireless communication device basedon the RU allocation that is specified within the first OFDMA frame. 17.The method of claim 13 further comprising: operating the communicationinterface of the wireless communication device to support communicationswithin at least one of a satellite communication system, a wirelesscommunication system, a wired communication system, a fiber-opticcommunication system, or a mobile communication system.
 18. The methodof claim 13, wherein the wireless communication device includes anaccess point (AP), and the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices includes a wireless station (STA).